Container Seedling Inspection

Sturdy, Standing Erect

Individual trees must be capable of standing erect on their own (no wimps).

Dormancy

Container stock need not be dormant. Spring container stock should be dormant. Summer and fall stock, depending on planting date, may not be cold hardy but the seedlings should have set a bud. (top)

Color

The foliage of healthy stock should be various shades of green. A purple cast is acceptable in lodgepole pine. The shade of green can be misleading. Yellow-green or gray-green tints are normal in dormant stock. These colors can also be a sign of a problem. If the off color is accompanied with other signs of damage such as dryness or cambium discoloration in the stems or roots, there is a problem. (top)

Container stock should not be actively growing and the stem should be lignified to the base of the bud. The stem and foliage should be dark green, not a bright emerald green. (top)

Mold Absent

Any signs of strands or threads of mycelia on the tree foliage or buds should be noted. Light mold can generally be corrected by proper handling at the district. Heavy mold in the foliage should be reported immediately.